40 FLYPAST 40 FLYPAST February 2018February 2018
OMBER COMMAND 617 SQ UA D RO N
At McCarran Field later that
afternoon, walking round the
exhibition hall and in town, the
RAF crews were continually stopped
by spectators to be told what a
wonderful show they had given,
remarking on the Vulcan’s grace
and beauty. The aircraft had made a
tremendous impression.
Meanwhile, the aircrew found their
attention grabbed by ‘Golden Jet
Girls’ – Stetson-wearing and gun-
toting glamour models promoting
the forthcoming Continental
Airlines’ Boeing 707 service.
In the evening, a substantial
banquet was held in the vast
convention centre, attended by
more than 3,000 participants. There
were a number of VIPs, including
His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard
of the Netherlands and the Secretary
of the US Air Force General T D
White.
A large number of USAF generals,
both serving and retired, were
present including: GeneralsDoolittle, Spaatz, Curtis and Leon
Johnson; also many leading figures
in American aviation. As the
congress was held in conjunction
with the 10th Anniversary of
NATO, a senior representative
from every NATO country was also
present.HOMEWARD BOUND
April 16 was spent servicing the
aircraft, re-loading the panniers
and preparing to depart early the
following morning. The Comet was
flown from McCarran to Nellis,
while AVM Walker returned to
Vandenberg to witness a successful
Thor launch by the RAF team.
The first of two replacement
engines for XH500 arrived by
Handley Page Hastings, along
with two NCOs from Scampton’s
Servicing Flight, and installation
work began.In the evening, models and
photographs of the Vulcan donated
by Avro were presented to Brig
Gen McGehee, the Nellis Base
Commander, and Ralph Whitener,
managing director of the World
Congress of Flight. A third model
was presented the following day
to the Las Vegas Chamber of
Commerce at a luncheon attended
by the deputy force commander and
the crew of XH500, who remained
in Las Vegas waiting for the
completion of its engine change.
Vulcans XH483, XH498 and
XH502 were airborne at half-hourly
intervals from 07:30 on April 17,
once again carrying out two RBS
‘attacks’ en route, before landing at
Goose Bay after 5½ hours uneventful
flying. The Comet took off one
hour after the third Vulcan staging
through Offutt AFB, Nebraska, to
arrive at Goose Bay at 22:00.“Calling Kefl avik for permission to make an emergency landing,
they received the reply that the airfi eld had a 300ft cloud base
with driving snow. Streatfeild decided to continue
to Scampton”Above
Lockheed EC-121
Warning Star 53-555
on display during the
congress. Known as
‘Treble Nickel’ from
its serial number, this
machine later served
with distinction in
Vietnam and is now
preserved at the
National Museum of
the USAF, Dayton, Ohio.Above right
Sharing the ramp
at McCarran Field, a
Michigan Air National
Guard Lockheed T-33A
and North American
VB-25J 45-8861. The
Mitchell carries a single
star on the nose glazing,
denoting its role as a
transport for a general.Below
A security guard enjoys
the shade offered by
XH500 in the heat at
Nellis.